GIFT  OF 


FhlJC    £.  F*rcuk*,r 


F^v& 


bam 


<y  €?  vn*  *v 


ONGS  0/  (^HEER 


<By 


FRANK  S.  FARQUHAR 


PUBLISHED  BY 

HARR  WAGNER  PUBLISHING  CO. 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA 


COPYRIGHTED  1920 
»Y  FRANK  S.  FARQUHAR 


*     * 


PRESS    OF    THE    HANSEN    CO..   S.  V. 


Q&fl*  Sfroofe 

31  bebtcate 

to  mp  goob  totf  e, 

jfit&innte  O&cber, 

$nb  to 

tf)e  2fropg  anb  <®trte 

of  tfje  toton  of 

Utomgston, 

California 


^ 


469270 


INDEX 

Page 

In  the  Open 7 

A  Song  of  the  Wild  8 

Christmas  Time  8 

The  Hour 9 

Noon-Time 9 

Among  the  Roses  9 

May-Time 10 

What's  the  Use  10 

In  Blossom  Time  10 

The  Summer's  End  11 

Mother's  Voice ^. 11 

The  Message  of  the  Daisy 12 

The  Star 12 

Sweeter  Things  13 

Dreaming  Dear  13 

The  Brook  14 

Love-Time  Prayer 14 

Listen  As  You  Pass  By u...  15 

The  Day  at  Morn 15 

Let  the  Sunlight  In  16 

Dreaming 16 

Old-Fashioned 17 

Day  Fairies 17 

Joy-Time  18 

A  Tear-Drop  18 

With  the  Roses 18 

Young  and  Fair 19 

Day  Dreams  19 

The  Promise  19 

Waiting  Promises  20 

The  Linnet's  Song 20 

Heart  Throbs  21 

The  Welkin  Rings  21 

The  Song  of  the  Heart 22 

Springtime  Singing 22 

The  Song  of  the  Heart  23 


INDEX 

Page 

In  Memory 24 

Sing  True  24 

I  Love  for  That  ... ...  24 

A  Lament  25 

The  Hollyhocks  25 

A  Song  and  a  Smile 26 

The  Test  26 

A  Plea  27 

Singing 27 

Home 27 

Sweetheart's  Smiles 28 

The  Magic  Is  Waiting  29 

Why? 29 

Blue  Eyes  30 

Sundav  Bells  30 

A  Child's  Night 31 

The  Cottage  31 

A  Good  Turn 32 

The  Prince  of  Love 32 

Evening  32 

When  May-Time  Comes  Again  33 

Being  Ready 33 

Night's  Love  Song  34 

Pledge  of  the  Sweets  34 

In  the  Garden 35 

The  Dreams  I  Dream 35 

Love's  Call  36 

Whistling  37 

Autumn  Time  37 

The  Dreaming  Time 38 

The   Pleasure 38 

The  Recompense  38 

By  the  River 39 

Love-Time  39 

Grandma   40 

Never,  Never  40 


SONGS    OF    CHEER 


FOREWORD 

cA  gem  may  be  a  diamond  fine, 

And  glitter  for  your  praise; 
A  book  may  be  but  words  in  line, 

Yet  deep  in  what  it  says. 

My  purpose  in  writing  these  Songs  of  Cheer  is  that  I 
might  be  relieved  of  a  surplus  of  the  divine  afflatus,  while, 
at  the  same  time,  adding  a  little  of  the  sweet  to  the  sordid 
things  that  hedge  us  about.  Poetry  was  the  first  agency 
through  ivhich  humankind  expressed  the  finer  emotions  of 
life.  In  the  past,  the  higher  ideals  of  man  were  moulded 
of  it.  From  it  sprang  the  songs  of  every  race,  and  in 
every  clime  it  flourished.  When  attuned  in  the 
Spirit  of  Love,  its  influence  is  for  a  better  morality; 
and  when  most  abundant,  hate,  selfishness,  greed  and  lust 
fade  into  nothing.  In  every  human  breast  there  are  poetic 
thoughts,  varying  according  to  the  degree  of  fineness. 
Many  understand  and  appreciate  these  thoughts,  but  the 
few  have  the  art  of  putting  them  into  words  and  lines. 
Rhythm  and  meter  being  the  cardinal  elements  of  poetry, 
I  submit  these  verses  for  the  readers  consideration.  I 
ivrote  them  in  my  leisure  hours,  when  Mistress  Muse  was 
most  ardent  in  her  attention;  and  I  hope  you  will  have  the 
same  pleasure  in  reading  them  that  I  have  had  in  the 
writing. 

— Frank  S.  Farquhar. 
Livivingston,  California, 
December  n,  1920. 


SONGS     OF    CHEER 


»    '  *»  •  • 


In  the  Open 

There's  ever  a  joy  in  the  song  of  the  birds, 
There's  ever  a  smile  on  the  ripening  grain, 

The  wild  fragrant  flowers  bloom  deep  in  the  dell, 
And  ever  the  swallows  row  a  course  in  the  rain. 

The  goldenrod  nods  ever  blithesome  and  gay, 
The  whippoorwill  calls  in  the  gloom  of  the  wood, 

There's  nothing  so  fine  as  the  life  out  of  doors, 
There's  nothing  so  grand  nor  so  rare  nor  so  good. 

0  give  me  the  fields  where  the  brooks  ever  croon, 
And  give  me  the  hills  where  the  daisies  are  fair ; 

There's  nothing  so  pure  as  grey-tinted  skies, 

There's  nothing  so  fresh  as  the  clear,  pulsing  air.    • 

There's  ever  repose  in  the  purpling  dusk, 

When  owls  hoot  alarms  from  afar  in  the  oaks ; 

There's  ever  a  glint  from  the  stars  in  the  sky 

When  frogs  in  the  pond  oft  regale  with  their  croaks. 

There's  ever  a  song  o'er  the  land  far  and  wide, 
Where  man  and  his  kine  and  the  birds  and  the  bees 

Combine  to  be  friends,  with  faith  and  with  joy, 
And  selfishness  fades  like  leaves  of  the  trees. 

0  here  I  shall  dwell  in  the  joy  of  this  life, 
O  here  I  shall  have  and  to  hold  and  to  reap, 

O  here  I  shall  wish  that  my  friends  and  my  foes 
Shall  come  to  my  hearth  for  a  tryst  to  keep. 


SONGS     OF     CHEER 


A  Song-  of  the  Wild 

The  roses  and  daisies  and  gay  daffodils, 
The  sweet  trilling  bob-white,  the  wild  mountain  rills, 
I  love  thy  rare  beauty,  thy  songs  and  thy  flowers, 
That  come  a  grand  cadence  from  heaven's  fair  bowers. 

To  sleep  in  thy  presence  my  bed  shall  be  made, 
And  prayers  in  thy  honor  to  the  shall  be  said ; 
My  dreams  shall  be  charming,  thy  will  shall  be  done, 
Till  winter  has  fallen — you  then  I  shall  shun. 

Then  cold  in  the  bosom  of  winter  shall  hide 
Thy  charms  and  thy  beauty  till  springtime  betide: 
What  mystery,  what  secret  binds  up  in  thy  life? 
I  see  but  thy  beauty,  thy  songs  in  the  strife. 


Christmas  Time 

It's  sleepy-time  and  bed-time, 
And  happy  hours  are  here, 

For  Christmas  in  the  morning 
Is  coming  with  its  cheer. 

The  child  looks  up  to  Santa 
For  the  candy  and  the  toys, 

But  you  look  to  your  friendships 
To  help  along  your  joys. 

O  Christmas-time  and  joy-time, 
How  happy  when  they're  here, 

They  fill  our  hearts  with  gladness, 
And  bring  us  all  good  cheer. 


SONGS    OF    CHEER 


The  Hour 

Take  up  the  burden,  men  of  faith, 

And  carry  while  you  work ; 
Come,  make  a  solemn  oath  this  day 

To  never  duty  shirk. 

Against  wrongs  done  in  wicked  strife 
Strike  while  you  have  the  power, 

For  comes  the  time,  when  days  are  spent, 
And  you  have  missed  the  hour. 


Noon-Time 

How  sweet  are  June-time  day  dreams, 
When  youth  is  in  its  noon ; 

For  all  the  world  is  singing, 
And  everything's  in  tune. 

How  lovely  are  the  dreamers ! 

How  wonderful  is  Love! 
For  they  are  made  for  June-time, 

The  same  as  cooing  dove. 


Among  the  Roses 

There's  a  cottage  in  the  valley, 
Where  the  wild,  sweet  roses  blow, 

Full  of  mellow,  sweet  remembrance 
Of  the  days  that  swiftly  go. 

Oh,  my  dearie,  I  am  waiting 
For  the  time  when  you  and  I 

Will  together  gather  roses 

While  the  world  goes  flitting  by. 


10  SONGSOFCHEER 


May-Time 

There  is  no  time  like  May-time — 
Then  all  the  world  is  fair, 
The  apple  trees  are  blooming, 
And  Love  is  everywhere. 

Then  I  shall  find  my  dearie 
Awaiting  there  for  me: 

What  love  there  is  in  May-time, 
The  greatest  time  that  be ! 


What's  the  Use 

What  is  the  use  complaining 

Of  your  ailments  and  your  pains  ? 

For  they  will  give  you  trouble 
Whether  sun  shines  or  it  rains. 

There  is  no  use  complaining 
Of  the  ills  that  flesh  is  heir: 

Just  fill  your  soul  with  sunshine 
And  spread  gladness  everywhere. 


In  Blossom  Time 

I  am  thinking  of  the  footsteps 

Where  the  blossoms  used  to  fall, 
And  the  beauty  of  my  dearie, 

The  sweetest  girl  of  all ; 
There's  a  song  within  our  hearts  yet, 

Same  old  song  we  used  to  sing, 
When  the  apples  still  were  blooming 

In  that  long  remembered  spring. 


SONGS     OF     CHEER  11 


The  Summer's  End 

The  autumn  winds  are  blowing, 

And  the  transient  birds  are  going 
With  the  season  to  their  wTinter  southland  home ; 

The  yellow  leaves  are  falling, 

And  the  wild  geese  now  are  calling 
To  their  mates  that  they  are  going  far  to  roam. 

The  summer's  happy  ending 

Into  fall  is  gently  blending 
Like  a  picture  that  is  painted  on  the  wall ; 

The  lovers  have  no  hating 

For  the  winter  that  is  waiting 
With  the  indoor  warmth  and  pleasure  at  its  call. 

The  tide  of  time  is  flowing 
With  the  Reaper's  silent  mowing 

O'er  the  land  where  life  is  bounteous  in  its  yields ; 
There  is  for  each  no  sorrow 
For  the  things  that  come  tomorrow, 

As  the  future  holds  most  sacred  what  it  shields. 


Mother's  Voice 

There  is  music,  there  is  magic, 
In  a  voice  I  still  may  hear; 

It  is  gone,  but  still  I  hear  it, 
For  my  memory  makes  it  clear. 

Ah,  if  memory  were  not  with  us, 
Sentiments  would  be  in  vain, 

For  it  is  the  things  of  childhood 
Puts  us  on  a  level  plain. 


12  SONGS     OF    CHEER 


The  Message  of  the  Daisy 

Don't  you  see  the  daisies  growing  by  the  walk — 
Little  Shasta  daisies  that  to  you  may  talk? 
See  them  turn  their  star-face  with  the  going  sun, 
Watch  them  nod  and  winking,  each  and  every  one ! 

Oh,  you  Shasta  daisy,  how  I  love  you  so, 
You  seem  never  weary  as  through  life  you  go; 
Won't  you  tell  me,  daisy,  what  your  pureness  says, 
"Sure,  I  will,"  says  daisy,  "brighten  darksome  days." 


The  Star 

Lo!  in  the  east  a  Star  was  seen, 

And  wise  men  came  to  view 
The  halo  with  its  mystic  sheen, 

For  prophets'  words  came  true. 

Throughout  the  world  there  was  proclaimed 

Good  tidings  of  the  hour, 
And  those  who  looked  in  awe  exclaimed : 

"Behold  HIS  wondrous  power!" 

Adown  the  years  the  Star  has  gleamed 

Without  a  fading  ray: 
Until  the  time  men  are  redeemed 

It  shall  be  but  The  Way. 

O  Star  of  little  Bethlehem, 

Thy  portent  on  life  limns, 
Thou  art  the  universal  gem 

That  clouds  nor  darkness  dims. 


SONGS    OF    CHEER  13 


Sweeter  Things 

There  is  a  bit  of  sweetness 
In  every  heart  that  beats, 

From  many  bits  of  sadness 
Come  many  bits  of  sweets. 

If  you  should  bind  your  heart  up 
Against  seductive  smiles 

You  should  not  know  the  sweetness 
In  any  afterwhiles. 

In  many  of  our  heart  aches 
Are  many  sweeter  things 

Than  we  shall  ever  know  of 
The  while  the  tempter  sings. 


Dreaming,  Dear 

Of  you  I  shall  be  dreaming,  dear, 
When  you  are  far  away, 

And  you  I  shall  be  wishing  near 
Through  every  living  day. 

The  roses  will  be  blooming,  dear, 
When  you  return  to  me, 

But  all  the  roses  of  the  year 
Will  not  be  sweet  as  thee. 

One  song  we'll  sing  together,  dear, 
For  sweet  remembrance  sake, 

We  shall  not  shed  another  tear, 
And  will  sweet  kisses  take. 


14  SONGSOFCHEER 

i 


The  Brook 

The  little  brook  is  winding  across  the  meadow  green 

To  reach  the  mighty  ocean  where  it  is  never  seen : 

It  comes  from  out  the  woodland,  like  crystals  from  the  sky, 

It  dapples  on  forever,  and  ever  sings  good-bye. 

How  sweetly  it  is  going,  a  symbol  of  a  life, 

That  flows  along  so  nobly  without  one  little  strife. 


Love-Time  Prayer 

Why  should  one  rose  be  whiter 

Than  any  other  rose, 
Unless  it  be  far  purer 

Than  anybody  knows? 

Why  should  the  skies  be  brighter 
When  clouds  have  passed  away, 

Unless  the  skies  are  clearer 
When  Love  has  come  to  stay? 

There's  nothing  in  one's  fanqy 
Just  like  clear  skies  above 

To  drive  away  the  shadows 
That  darken  ties  of  love. 

Reveal  to  me  the  day-dreams 
Of  youth  and  maiden  fair — 

How  mortal  and  how  fleeting — 
They  are  the  love-time  prayer. 


The  white  rose  has  its  beauty 

For  everyone  to  see; 
It's  blooming  in  the  June-time 

Is  for  all  lovers  free. 


SONGS     OF     CHEER  15 


Listen  As  You  Pass  By 

The  humming  birds  are  skimming  where  the  lilacs  are  in 

bloom, 
The  striped-yellow  spider  is  busy  on  his  loom, 
The  bee  delves  in  the  petal  of  the  horn-pipe  on  the  vine, 
And  all  the  birds  are  singing  songs  that  are  for  me  and 

mine. 

I  listen  to  the  murmur  of  the  little  things  around — 
I  see  the  beauty  hidden  wherein  all  is  secret  bound — 
You  wonder  what  the  story  is  that  each  one  has  to  tell; 
Ah,  therein  lies  the  mystery,  like  the  echoes  of  a  bell. 

No  words  by  things  are  spoken  like  the  words  of  tongue 

and  voice, 
Yet  if  you  listen  closely  you  will  hear  dumb  things  rejoice: 
For  each  one  has  a  language  that  will  speak  to  you  and  I, 
If  only  you  will  listen  when  you  pass  the  mute  things  by. 


The  Day  at  Morn 

If  you  go  and  watch  the  sunrise 
When  no  cloud  is  in  the  sky 

You  shall  have  a  day  of  bounty, 
And  will  never  have  a  sigh. 

You  will  find  that  dew  is  clearer, 
As  it  falls  upon  the  rose, 

When  the  sky  is  lit  by  starlight, 
And  the  world  is  in  repose. 

You  may  watch  and  you  may  wonder 
At  the  coming  hour  of  day, 

But  shall  never  solve  the  mystery 
Why  it  goes  to  never  stay. 


16  .  SONGS    OF     CHEER 

r 


Let  the  Sunlight  In 

Little  streams  of  golden  sunlight 
Trickle  from  the  heart  of  yours 
If  you  open  up  the  shutters, 

Fling  ajar  the  locken  doors. 

Sunlight  drys  the  springs  of  mildew 
Welling  from  the  selfish  heart, 

Blows  away  the  dust  of  anger, 
Causing  sorrow  to  depart. 

If  your  heart  is  heavy  laden, 

And  you  have  no  friends  worth  while, 
Open  wide  your  doors  to  sunlight, 

And  let  in  a  pleasant  smile. 

For  the  smile  is  what  you  need  most 
When  the  world  is  going  wrong, 

It  will  help  you  ride  down  trouble, 
Help  you  sing  a  little  song. 


Dreaming 

Fair  and  lovely  is  the  maiden 

That  my  heart  would  now  consume, 
Sitting  by  the  doorstep  smiling 

Where  the  morning  glories  bloom. 
Vieing  with  the  fragrant  lilies, 

As  they  blow  in  early  June, 
Sits  she  silently  and  dreaming 

Of  young  love-time's  early  boon. 
In  my  loving  I  am  happy, 

Like  the  lark  up  in  the  sky, 
For  the  world  has  not  a  trouble 

In  its  passing  of  us  by. 


SONGS    OF     CHEER  17 


Old-Fashioned 

Behold!  wild  roses,  lilacs  blue, 
The  hollyhock,  the  primrose  too, 
And  mignonette  and  columbine, 
The  smilax  and  the  eglintine — 
Old  fashioned  flowers,  I  love  you  still 
As  in  the  day  down  by  the  mill, 
Where  youth  and  maiden,  hand  in  hand, 
A-journeyed  on  the  golden  strand. 

A  path  of  roses  laid  for  me 
Across  the  green  of  meadows  free, 
Unto  the  land  where  fairies  dwell, 
With  music  sweet  the  echoes  swell. 
Ah,  shall  we  find  a  love  more  deep 
Than  that  in  Love's  eternal  keep? 
Unless  it  be  where  flowerets  blow 
Old-fashioned  as  the  purest  snow. 


Day  Fairies 

A  dreamer  of  the  day-dreams, 
Of  happy  times  and  good, 

I  see  the  fairies  flutter 

O'er  meadow  and  the  wood. 

They  wake  me  up  at  twilight, 
And  dance  adown  the  east, 

They  fill  our  hearts  with  gladness 
And  tarry  while  we  feast. 

0  fairies  of  our  day-dreams, 
Companions  of  the  light, 

1  wonder  where  you  go  to 
When  I'm  asleep  at  night. 


18  SONGS     OF    CHEER 


Joy-Time 

Christmas-time  is  joy-time 
All  the  world  around, 

It's  the  time  for  children 
Wherever  they  are  found. 

Bring  them  toys  and  dollies, 
And  the  candies  sweet, 

It's  the  time  for  children, 
Give  them  what  is  meet. 


A  Tear-Drop 

A  tear  is  like  a  dew-drop 

Flooding  on  the  rose, 
Just  why  it  falls  so  sadly 

Not  a  body  knows. 

It  wells  up  from  the  heart-depths, 

Crystals  from  the  soul, 
It  comes,  a  benediction, 

Burdens  to  unroll. 


With  the  Roses 

Love  is  with  the  roses 
Blooming  in  the  dell, 

Waiting  for  the  bridgegroom 
And  the  wedding  bell. 

Don't  they  bloom  so  gaily 
In  their  little  hour? 

Love  is  with  them  waiting 
In  sunshine  or  shower. 


SONGS    OF    CHEER  19 


Young  and  Fair 

A  smile  is  on  her  face  tonight, 

A  rose  is  in  her  hair, 
She  holds  aloft  the  golden  light 

That's  for  the  young  and  fair. 

So  in  the  heart  of  everyone 
Is  found  some  good  worth  while 

A  gracious  act,  a  good  deed  done, 
Will  always  bring  a  smile. 


Day  Dreams 

O  sing  to  me  of  poppies 
That  golden  all  the  fields, 

They  bring  to  me  the  day  dreams 
That  all  my  fancy  yields. 

O  little  yellow  poppies, 

With  faces  all  ablow, 
One  look  from  you  brings  blessings,. 

A  fairer  afterglow. 


The  Promise 

In  the  early  time  of  morning 

You  shall  know  the  coming  day: 
If  the  rainbow  bows  the  heaven, 

You  should  tarry  by  the  way; 
If  the  sky  is  bright  and  smiling, 

And  your  heart  is  free  from  care 
You  shall  find  the  path  Delightful, 

And  you'll  want  to  linger  there. 


20  SONGS    OF    CHEER 

■ 


Waiting  Promises 

I'm  waiting  for  my  sweetheart  by  the  singing  brook, 
Anticipating  kisses  that  I  never  took ; 

A  winsome  little  lassie,  hair  just  like  the  gold, 
A  faithful  little  sweetheart,  not  so  very  old; 

For  she  and  I  were  playmates  in  our  childhood  time, 
Each  hour  was  full  of  pleasure  and  of  love  sublime : 

I'm  waiting  for  the  kisses,  many  as  can  be, 

I  know  she  soon  will  bring  them,  for  she  promised  me. 


The  Linnet's  Song 

When  the  dew  is  on  the  roses, 
And  the  spider's  in  his  den, 

There's  a  jolly,  sweet  crescendo 
Of  the  linnets  now  and  then. 

Hear  his  cheery  notes  come  rising, 
As  the  sun  climbs  out  his  bed — 

Ho,  the  rolicking  little  linnet 
Comes  to  greet  me  as  night  fled. 

There's  no  sorrow  in  his  singing, 
After  night  has  come  the  day, 

All  is  splendor,  all  is  ringing, 
With  the  joys  that  pass  his  way. 

Oh,  my  brother,  hark  and  listen 
As  the  dew  falls  from  the  rose, 

Listen  to,  the  linnet  singing; 
Gladness  from  him  freely  flows. 


SONGS     OF    CHEER  21 


Heart  Throbs 

It  makes  me  sad  just  thinking  how  the  swallows  used  to 

row 
Upon  the  wind  in    springtime    when    the    clouds    were 

hanging  low; 
It  makes  my  heart  more  tender  dreaming  of  the  robin's 

song 
That  floated  on  the  twilight  as  the  evening  went  along. 

Back  come  the  tender  graces  of  the  days  that  springtime 

made 
Into  magic,  splendid  beauty,  that  my  young  life  overlaid ; 
I  hear  my  playmates  calling,  as  they  rolicked  on  the  green, 
With  all  that  vim  and  virtue  that  in  child-life  is  but  seen. 

0  give  to  me  the  joy-time  of  the  long  remembered  spring, 
When  apple-blooms  were  falling,  falling  as  the  birds  would 

sing: 
All  heartaches  then  would  vanish,  like  the  magic  of  the 

rose, 
When  it  has  ceased  its  blooming  at  the  time  its  life  would 

close. 

* 


The  Welkin  Rings 

The  day  is  full  of  cheerful  sounds, 
While  one  is  brooding  trouble, 

Why  can't  one  go  his  daily  rounds 
Without  one  seeing  double? 

This  life  is  filled  with  joyful  things, 

That  very  few  can  see ; 
Of  joy  of  earth  the  welkin  rings 

To  summon  you  and  me. 


22  SONGS     OF     CHEER 


The  Song  of  the  Heart 

There's  a  song  in  every  ripple  of  the  noisy  little  brook, 
Filling  all  the  woods  with  gladness  and  a  happy,  smiling 

look; 
There's  a  song  within  our  heart  yet,  rippling  with  the 

fading  years, 
Filling  deep  the  soul  with  sweetness,   with  no   trace   of 

passing  tears. 


Springtime  Singing 

Miss  Jennie  Wren  is  singing 
This  lovely  springtime  day, 

Her  little  voice  is  ringing 
Full  of  the  joy  of  May. 

What  tidings  does  she  bring  you 
On  vernal  winds  so  fair? — 

Ah,  love  songs  that  she  sings  time, 
And  sings  them  everywhere. 

Did  you  but  fetch  your  singing 
Straight  out  of  heart's  deep  lairs 

Your  songs  would  not  be  dinging 
So  strident  with  your  cares. 

Nor  would  you  then  be  sighing, 
And  telling  all  your  woes, 

That  sets  a  friend  to  crying 
Whichever  way  he  goes. 

So  listen  to  the  love  lays 

That  Jennie  Wren  may  sing — 

They'll  bring  to  you  the  May  days 
Of  life's  eternal  spring. 


SONGS     OF     CHEER  23 


The  Song  of  the  Heart 

There's  a  song  within  my  heart  yet 

That  my  mother  used  to  sing, 
'Twas  a  lullaby  of  childhood 

Played  upon  a  harper's  string; 
There's  no  note  of  lilting  skylark 

Like  the  note  of  long  ago, 
With  its  melancholy  sweetness 

Fading  on  the  years  that  go. 

Still  1  hold  in  fond  remembrance 

All  the  things  of  that  dear  home, 
Where  was  taught  Life's  greatest  duties, 

As  about  the  world  I  roam: 
In  whatever  land  I  journey, 

On  whatever  sea  I  sail 
There  I  find  that  ever  present 

Steadfast  heart  with  me  prevail. 

Still  there  comes  to  me  unsummoned, 

Clear  as  call  of  bob-o-link, 
Pictures  mirrored,  like  a  painting, 

In  the  spring  where  we  would  drink ; 
Still  there  comes  adown  the  twilight 

Of  the  evening  times  like  June, 
Legions  of  the  days  now  numbered — 

Happy  days  that  passed  too  soon. 

All  too  soon  has  fickle  fortune 

Guided  me  to  foreign  shores, 
All  too  soon  has  wily  magic 

Opened  up  unwelcome  doors ; 
But  no  matter  whence  I  travel, 

Nor  what  land  to  which  I  roam, 
There  will  cling  to  me  the  memory 

Of  my  childhood  happy  home. 


24  SONGSOFCHEER 

i 


In  Memory 

The  bud  of  my  childhood,  the  flower  of  my  youth, 
The  sweetest  of  lassies  that  ever  did  sing, 

Has  filled  me  with  rapture,  and  glory,  forsooth, — 
Ah,  all  but  sweet  memories  have  taken  to  wing. 

The  maid  of  my  youth  time,  my  beacon  of  love, 

Gave  me  the  sweet  garlands  that  touched  her  fair  brow, 

And  deep  in  my  bosom  I  hold  them  above 

The  greatest  of  pleasures  that  come  to  me  now. 


Sing  True 

When  the  shadows  of  life  are  falling, 
And  the  way  looks  dark  to  you, 

Stop  awhile  and  sing  a  love  song — 
Sing  the  song  that  is  not  new. 

There's  abiding  sweet  forbearance 
When  you  sing  true  from  the  heart, 

All  the  clouds  that  hang  so  darkening 
From  your  soul  will  then  depart. 


I  Love  for  That 

My  lassie  has  a  rose  for  me, 
And  I  have  one  for  her; 

She  kisses  hers  and  throws  to  me,- 
And  mine  I  throw  to  her. 

My  lassie  has  a  kiss  for  me — 
Well,  how  do  I  know  that — ? 

1  know  she  has  a  kiss  for  me, 
Because  I  love  for  that. 


SONGS     OF     CHEER  25 


A  Lament 

For  a  cot  and  a  rose  and  a  lassie  so  sweet, 

I  shall  sing  all  the  day  with  a  gladness  complete ; 

I'm  in  love  with  her  now  and  my  heart  swells  with  pride, 

For  I  think — ah,  I  know — I  may  soon  have  a  bride. 

What  a  rosebud  of  scarlet,  a  sweet  little  thing, 
That  I  have  in  my  dearie  who  wills  me  to  sing 
Of  the  days  that  are  passing,  like  magic  old  wine — 
She  will  come  and  be  happy,  a  clinging  young  vine. 

In  my  soul  I  am  lonesome  for  someone  to  be 
As  a  tempter  beguiling  like  music  set  free — 
Oh,  a  cot  and  a  rose  and  a  lassie  so  sweet, 
Are  the  things  that  I  wish  ere  my  life  is  complete. 


The  Hollyhocks 

Remembrance  of  the  garden  wall, 

All  set  with  hollyhocks — 
A  bright-eyed  lass,  so  young  and  tall, 

And  waving  golden  locks — 
Still  keeps  me  young  as  in  that  day, 

When  she  and  I  together, 
Held  hands  and  vowed  to  go  our  way 

In  fair  and  in  foul  weather. 

Today  the  hollyhocks  still  bloom, 

And  bees  are  buzzing  round, 
The  spider  works  upon  his  loom 

The  wary  fly  to  bound, 
While  she  and  I  are  watching  them 

The  same  as  yesterday — 
In  everything  we  see  the  gem 

That  makes  for  life  a  play. 


26  SONGS    OF    CHEER 


A  Song  and  a  Smile 

A  song  and  a  smile  to  each  is  worth  while, 

If  you  travel  where  lilies  are  gay ; 
A  word  and  a  nod  to  him  who  is  sad, 

Gives  promise  of  peace  for  a  day; 
If  you  play  but  your  part  right  out  of  your  heart, 

And  fudge  not  on  Time's  precious  hours, 
Then  you  shall  compare  with  those  that  are  there, 

And  bask  'mid  elesian  fair  bowers. 


The  Test 

You  may  sing  about  the  fairies 

And  the  finer  joys  of  life, 
You  may  talk  about  your  dainties 

And  the  pleasures  in  the  strife, 
But  for  me,  give  me  my  dearie, 

In  the  cottage  by  the  mill, 
And  the  music  that  comes  rippling 

With  the  water  down  the  hill. 

There  is  love  there  in  the  cottage 

In  the  sunshine  or  the  rain 
That  has  harmony  and  beauty 

With  the  grinding  of  the  grain ; 
There  is  happiness  and  pleasure 

Found  in  every  creaking  wheel 
Like  the  music  that  comes  flowing 

Without  woe  and  full  of  weal. 

You  will  find  that  life  is  pleasant 
If  your  heart  is  beating  true, 

Does  not  matter  where  you  live  at, 
For  the  test  is  all  in  you. 


SONGSOFCHEER  27 


A  Plea 

If  you  will  let  me  I  will  love  you, 

My  little  fussy  gal, 
You  know  I  have  not  got  a  sou, 

Yet  I  can  be  your  pal. 

I  will  do  without  tobacco, 
And  every  other  vice, 

If  only  I  can  be  your  beau — 
Now  don't  you  say  it  twice. 


Singing 

Hand  in  hand  we  go  together, 
Singing  of  the  world  so  bright; 

Everyone  meets  some  dull  weather 
Ere  the  day  turns  into  night. 

Never  mind  your  times  of  sorrow, 
Singing  drives  away  all  pain, 

For  of  trouble  if  you  borrow 
Life  will  then  be  lived  in  vain. 


Home 

Love,  and  a  home  and  a  garden  so  fine, 

Some  books  and  a  smile,  and  things  superfine, 

The  voice  of  the  child,  the  scent  of  the  lea, 

In  a  land  of  sweet  charms  where  all  is  so  free — 

Ah,  bless  us,  and  help  us,  and  keep  us  from  harm, 

And  give  us  that  glory  for  all  full  of  charm : 

I  love  it  and  keep  it  that  I  may  behold 

The  sunshine  and  beauty  that  never  grows  old. 


J 


28  SONGS     OF    CHEER 

I 


Sweetheart's  Smiles 

My  sweetheart  has  the  bluest  eyes, 

The  sweetest,  reddest  lips, 
She  is  to  me  my  Paradise, 

And  I  her  nectar  sips. 

How  mortal  is  this  vale  of  tears  I 

We  love  and  have  our  day! 
Could  we  but  live  into  the  years, 

Bliss  could  not  pass  away. 

But  we  are  made  of  selfishness, 

And  joy  we  fret  much  o'er, 
Yet  why  should  we  those  things  that  bless 

Would  wish  forever  more  ? 

The  tide  of  life  breaks  on  the  beach, 

Like  ocean's  beat  and  roar, 
We  pray  aloud,  our  God  beseech, 

To  seek  the  other  shore. 

Yet  grieve  we  much  to  let  joys  go 

That  in  this  world  we  hold, 
We  fear  that  we  shall  never  know 

When  we  in  death  are  cold. 

So  give  to  me  my  sweetheart's  smile, 

The  laugh  of  tender  years ; 
There's  nothing  else  that  is  worth  while 

In  all  this  vale  of  tears. 


SONGS    OF    CHEER  29 


The  Magic  Is  Waiting 

What  is  the  use  repining  when  the  sun  is  shining  bright, 
The  day  is  made  for  sunshine,  darkness  only  comes  at 
night. 

You  think  you  have  your  troubles  when  a  cloud  comes  o'er 

the  sky. 
And  let  imagination  cause  the  making  of  a  sigh. 

Go  out  into  the  country,  get  away  from  narrow  walls, 
The  sun  is  shining  brightly — you  he  beckons,  you  he  calls. 

You  then  will  cease  repining,  and  your  cares  will  fall  away, 
What  magic  there  is  waiting  if  you  go  out  THERE  to  play. 


Why? 

A  man  went  up  to  Hickorytown 

To  get  a  glass  of  ale, 
He  got  so  much  that  he  fell  down, 

And  then  was  sent  to  jail. 

It  does  seem  strange  why  things  are  so,- 

Why  men  are  sent  to  jail; 
We  preach  to  them  and  want  to  know 

Just  why  they  are  so  frail. 

But  don't  you  think  that  you  and  I 

Are  very  much  to  blame? 
We  teach  a  deal  and  then  we  sigh 

Because  we're  put  to  shame. 

Some  men  are  weak  and  quickly  fall 

If  tempted  overmuch, 
While  some  there  are  don't  care  at  all 

Whose  name  they  would  besmutch. 


30  SONGSOFCHEER 


Blue  Eyes 

Those  eyes  are  like  the  stars  of  night 
That  twinkle  long  past  morn, 

They  set  my  soul  afire  to  know 
That  they  are  now  foresworn. 

Hadst  I  not  seen  their  blinding  flash, 
Beheld  their  depths  of  fire, 

At  peace  my  soul  would  rest  tonight 
Freed  from  the  Siren's  lyre. 


Sunday  Bells 

I  hear  the  glad  bells  ringing 

From  far  across  the  lea; 
What  memories  they  are  bringing 

For  none  to  know  but  me ! 

How  oft,  and  full  of  splendor, 
They  pealed  on  Sunday  morn ; 

Their  music  was  so  tender 

That  hardened  hearts  were  torn. 

And  often  do  I  wonder 

Why  clanging  bells  so  clear 

Come  cross  the  years  way  yonder 
With  memories  so  dear. 

And  oft  I  think  how  pious 

Were  days  when  I  was  young, 

How  men  then  worked  for  Jesus, 
And  how  His  praises  sung. 

Ah,  vagrant  still  is  memory 

In  these  our  later  years ! 
A  little  of  old  piety 

Would  drive  away  our  fears. 


SONGS     OF    CHEER  31 


A  Child's  Night 

When  bats  sail  round  at  eventide, 

A  hush  comes  o'er  the  vale ; 
On  ghostly  steeds  the  owls  will  ride, 

Up  hill  and  down  the  dale. 

Then  witches  come  to  plague  our  wits, 

Or  scare  us  out  of  breath ; 
Above  the  moon  a  Woman  sits, 

An  omen  of  sure  death. 

In  somnolence  we  seek  our  bed, 
To  sleep,  and  dream,  perchance, 

But  nightmares  come  with  pondrous  tread 
To  reel,  careen  and  dance. 

The  terror  with  the  night  flies  away, 

The  child  comes  into  light; 
He  lives  to  play  while  there  is  day, 

Forgetful  of  the  night. 


The  Cottage 

A  pleasant  little  cottage 

Sits  in  a  pleasant  vale, 
Where  music  comes  at  twilight 

As  like  a  sweeping  gale ; 
And  biding  in  the  cottage 

Is  Love  for  all  the  day, 
Awaiting  those  who  pass  it 

A-journeying  on  the  way. 
O  blessed  little  cottage, 

Where  Peace  and  Love  shall  reign, 
How  happy  would  we  all  be 

Could  each  a  cottage  gain. 


32  SONGS     OF     CHEER 


A  Good  Turn 

There  is  a  smile  upon  the  rose 
That's  never  seen  elsewhere ; 

From  whence  it  comes  nobody  knows, 
But  it  is  always  there. 

It  may  be  red,  or  pink,  or  white, 
Yet  smiles  it  all  the  while ; 

It  blooms  by  day  or  in  the  night, 
With  nothing  to  beguile. 

So  like  the  rose  should  each  one  be, 

With  smiles  for  everyone ; 
In  every  little  smile  set  free 

There  is  a  good  turn  done. 

* 

The  Prince  of  Love 

The  winds  will  blow,  as  you  may  know, 

Across  the  desert  burning ; 
The  sun  will  shine  on  thee  and  thine 

In  every  way  of  turning. 

But  if  you  keep  the  smile  so  cheap, 
It  costs  you  naught  for  smiling, 

The  Prince  of  Love  who  reigns  Above 
Will  help  you  Time  beguiling. 


Evening 

The  children  shout  at  twilight, 
Playing  on  the  green; 

The  bullfrogs  croak  profoundly 
And  are  never  seen; 

The  robin  chants  his  vespers 
Sweetly  near  his  mate — 

Ah,  what  a  joyful  evening 
Thus  I  contemplate! 


SONGS     OF     CHEER  33 


When  May-Time  Comes  Again 

Why  murmur  when  the  skies  are  blue, 

And  life  is  young-  and  fair, 
For  after  while  your  dreams  come  true, 

And  Love  is  everywhere. 

The  meadows  green  and  birds  will  sing 
When  May-time  comes  around, 

And  happy  then  the  bells  will  ring 
With  every  mellow  sound. 

To  everyone  the  winters  come 
With  snow  and  sleet  and  rain, 

And  peace  and  joy  shall  be  the  sum 
When  May-time  comes  again. 

* 


Being  Ready 

Tell  me  all  your  troubles, 

Little,  little  boy ; 
Have  you  any  hardships  ? 

Have  you  any  joy? 

Sure  you  have  your  troubles, 
Sure  you  have  your  joy, 

For  the  two  together 
Makes  the  manly  boy. 

World  is  very  easy 
If  you  work  with  will, 

But  it's  hard  to  travel 
Going  up  the  hill. 

Don't  you  shirk  a  duty, 
While  you  work  or  play, 

Plan  on  being  ready 
Beginning  of  the  day. 


34  SONGS    OF    CHEER 


Night's  Love  Song 

In  the  evening  just  at  sunset, 
When  the  glow  is  on  the  sky, 

Sad  and  sweet  from  out  the  woodland, 
Comes  the  whippoorwill's  far  cry. 

In  the  fading  hush  and  quiet, 

As  the  shadows  fall  away, 
Wild  and  weird  is  the  bird  song 

Chanted  for  departing  day. 

Then  as  darkness  palls  the  landscape 
O'er  the  valley  and  the  hill, 

Echoes  fearfully,  yet  charmful, 
The  wilding  song  of  whippoorwill. 

Seems  it  like  the  dirge  of  dying 
When  the  soul  has  taken  flight; 

But  'tis  not  for  purpose  mournful, 
'Tis  a  love-song  of  the  night. 


Pledge  of  the  Sweets 

There  never  was  a  rose  so  sweet 
As  those  that  bloom  for  Meenie; 

They  fill  the  arbored  fields  to  greet 
All  those  who  love  my  dearie. 

Pluck  not  the  bud  and  leave  the  stem 
For  me  and  for  my  Meenie, 

Just  let  them  bloom  that  all  of  them 
Will  hold  their  sweets  for  dearie. 

I  pledge  the  sweets  of  every  rose 
For  faithful,  loving  Meenie, 

I  vow  to  you  nobody  knows 
How  much  I  love  my  dearie. 


SONGSOFCHEER  35 


In  the  Garden 

We  walked  into  the  garden 
When  cherries  were  in  bloom ; 

The  petals  fell  like  snowflakes, 
Swept  up  by  Vernal's  broom. 

The  bluebirds  sang  so  merrily 
A  piping  tune  of  spring, 

The  chick-a-dees  were  twitting 
The  other  birds  to  sing. 

Then  life  to  us  was  budding 
Like  roses  blooming  white, 

The  world  was  yet  before  us, 
With  mellow,  burning  light. 

The  vows  that  we  then  uttered, 
With  fragrance  of  the  spring, 

Are  vows  that  we  still  cherish, 
For  yet  they  make  us  sing. 


The  Dreams  I  Dream 

When  the  springtime  comes  again,  my  dear, 

And  lilacs  scent  the  air, 
When  the  tulips  are  in  bloom,  my  dear, 

Shall  you  and  I  be  there? 

When  the  sweetest  songs  of  life,  my  dear, 

Are  singing  all  the  day, 
Then  the  sweetest  charms  of  you,  my  dear, 

Shall  come  to  me  to  stay. 

When  the  night-time  comes  for  me,  my  dear, 

And  I  am  in  my  sleep, 
Then  the  dreams  I  dream  are  yours,  my  dear, 

And  ever  for  your  keep. 


36  SONGS     OF    CHEER 


Love's  Call 

Far  o'er  the  hills  and  valleys, 

By  river  bank  and  lake, 
Is  heard  the  voice  of  Cupid 

Each  one  to  overtake; 
You  hear  it  in  the  sedges, 

On  lea  and  open  roads, 
Along  the  streets  of  cities — 

What  heart  throbs  it  forebodes ! 

[Chorus] 

O  sing  to  me  of  love-time, 
What  joy  it  holds  for  all! 

The  splendor  of  your  dreaming 
Is  from  your  Lover's  call. 

The  lovely  maid  is  sighing 

For  Cupid's  tender  grace, 
And,  on  the  way  goes  dreaming 

The  youth  with  beaming  face ; 
The  mocking-bird  is  singing 

Love  notes  in  silent  dells, 
And  solemn  owls  are  hooting 

In  belfry  of  the  bells. 

[Chorus] 

O  sing  to  me  of  love-time, 
What  joy  it  holds  for  all! 

The  splendor  of  your  dreaming 
Is  from  your  Lover's  call. 


SONGS     OF     CHEER  37 


Whistling 

A  barefoot  boy  goes  down  the  road — 

And  that  was  long  ago — 
He  whistles  tunes  to  lighten  his  load, 

The  tunes  we  all  should  know. 

What  of  our  youth  and  later  life, 
If  whistling  were  not  ours? 

It  helps  illume  our  worldy  strife 
And  strew  our  path  with  flowers. 


Autumn-Time 

The  wind  is  blowing  soft  and  sweet 

Across  the  meadow  ways, 
And  autumn-time  has  come  to  greet 

Us  in  the  parting  days. 

There  is  no  time  like  autumn-time 

To  dream  of  days  gone  by, 
To  fill  one's  heart  with  things  sublime, 

And  bring  a  little  sigh. 

The  leaves  are  falling  from  the  trees, 

The  green  is  turning  sear, 
One  hesitates,  yet  seldom  sees, 

The  going  of  the  year. 

For  life  is  like  the  song  we  sing, 

If  we  have  played  it  well ; 
The  autumn-time  shall  each  one  bring 

The  things  that  do  foretell. 


38  SONGS    OF    CHEER 


The  Dreaming  Time 

When  the  moon  is  in  the  beaming, 
And  the  wind  is  sweet  and  cool, 

Then  is  when  you  do  your  dreaming, 
Shaping  to  the  golden  rule. 

Then  your  dreams  are  made  to  fathom 
All  the  hallowed  ways  of  Love. 

Like  the  chanted  leaves  come  falling 
From  the  shining  stars  above. 


The  Pleasure 

The  winsome  daisy  lifts  its  head 

Up  to  the  morning  sun, 
It  gives  to  me  a  pleasant  smile — 

How  freely  is  it  done. 

"It's  time  your  work's  begun,"  it  says 

"All  things  must  delve  and  dig," 
And  then  it  whispered  on  the  side, 
"Aren't  all  the  good  things  big." 


The  Recompense 

If  your  heart  is  overflowing 

With  the  troubles  of  the  day, 
And  you  cannot  see  an  outlet 

As  you  go  upon  the  way, 
Drop  a  smile  and  words  of  greeting 

To  the  friends  that  pass  you  by, 
For  the  recompense  of  brooding 

Is  the  utterance  of  a  sigh. 


SONGS    OF    CHEER  .•••    .    .     ......••;•:•«    -  39 


By  the  River 

I  am  going  to  the  river 

Where  the  waters  have  a  sheen, 
And  the  grass  upon  the  hillside 

Fast  is  turning  into  green ; 
Where  the  bud  of  bush  is  breaking 

In  upon  the  vernal  tide, 
And  the  birds  are  gaily  singing 

In  the  woodland  far  and  wide. 

I  shall  watch  the  waters  wimple, 

Dash  and  dance  with  greatest  glee, 
And  shall  sing  a  song  of  gladness 

That  again  I  am  set  free. 
O  the  river!    0  the  river! 

Where  the  mystic  shadows  fall, 
Full  of  mystery,  full  of  beauty, 

And  the  glories  that  enthrall. 


Love-Time 

It  is  May-time  and  love-time 
All  the  world  around, 

And  life  is  lived  so  sweetly 
Wherever  May  is  found. 

It  is  June-time  and  bride-time 
Wherever  roses  blow, 

And  Love  is  found  so  gaily 
Playing  on  the  bow. 

It  is  May-time  and  June-time 
All  the  year  around, 

When  Love  is  with  the  lover 
Wherever  he  is  found. 


40  ;,••  SONGSOFCHEER 


Grandma 

How  gently  she  sleeps  on  the  old  wicker  chair, 
She  sits  and  she  nods  in  the  fresh  open  air ; 
Tread  lightly,  my  children,  and  make  not  a  stir, 
There's  sweetness  and  mercy,  so  let  her  slep  there. 
Some  day,  in  thy  goodness,  sweet  peace  may  be  yours, 
When  you  shall  sit  idly  and  rest  on  your  oars. 


Never,  Never 

Tall  and  stately  are  the  lilies 

Where  my  sweetheart  waits  for  me, 
Round  about  are  morning  glories 

White  and  purple,  fair  to  see. 
0  how  lovely,  lovely,  lovely, 

Are  the  scenes  where  we  two  live: 
There  is  joy  and  love  forever, 

That  but  Love  did  ever  give. 

Fragrant  are  the  purple  lilacs 

Where  the  humming  bird  doth  wing ; 
By  the  jessamine  so  gaily 

Come  the  robins  when  they  sing; 
And  the  evening,  just  at  sunset, 

Shadows  into  beauty  rare, 
When  my  sweetheart,  full  of  gladness, 

Bids  me  come  and  welcome  there. 

She  is  fretting,  longing,  sighing, 

When  alone  she  awaits  for  me 
In  the  home  where  are  her  day  dreams, 

All  the  beauty  that  can  be. 
Never,  never  should  come  sorrow 

To  the  loving,  faithful  heart, 
Never,  never  should  true  lovers 

See  the  time  when  they  should  part. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  tAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

AN     INITIAL    FINeToF    25    CENTQ 

W.LL    BE   ASSESSED    FOR    FAILURE  To    „„  ^ 
TH.S  BOOK  ON  THE  DA^E  DUE      the  pen!Ltv 

OVERDUE  $     °°    °N    ™E    SEVENTH    DAY 


LD  2l-50m-l. 


463270 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


